The Presidency: I Would Keep a Lower Profile

"I Would Keep a Lower Profile"

Until now Mike Deaver has been a spectacular alchemist of power, personality and communication. That is the irony of his predicament. "I'm in trouble with my public relations," he said ruefully, eating his breakfast egg as another chapter unfolded last week in his political drama. Did he violate the law with his new lobbying firm, booking megabucks in business within months of leaving the White House? Did he step beyond propriety and soil the presidency? "No, no, no," he declared, and added a few more nos.

But he would not be sitting at breakfast explaining himself if something had not gone...